FORT MYERS, Fla. – Dunk City After Dark, the tip-off to the basketball season, will be held this Friday at Alico Arena following the conclusion of the volleyball match against North Alabama that begins at 6 p.m. This year, the event is part of FGCU's official family weekend festivities for the first time. In addition, Dirty Bird members can pick up their official fan shirt, sponsored this year by The Reef and Coastal Village.
 
The free event, which is presented by The Reef and Coastal Village, Wells Fargo and Coconut Point Ford, will feature the first opportunity for the general public and University community to watch and interact with the 2018-19 men's and women's basketball programs. The event has something for everyone – children and families, students, season-ticket holders and the general public.
 
Following the conclusion of volleyball, the night will transition to Hoops and Halloween with trick-or-treating, where children 12 and under are encouraged to dress in their best Halloween costume. Those in costume will have the opportunity to trick-or-treat, take pictures with student-athletes, cheerleaders and Azul the Mascot, win prizes for best dressed and participate in a costume parade around Alico Arena to music featuring the FGCU pep band.
 
"Dunk City After Dark is a great opportunity for our players to interact with our fans and their fellow students while we continue to prepare for the season," FGCU head men's basketball coach Michael Fly said. "The event will allow for attendees to get a sneak peak of our new players and give fans an idea of how we are going to play this season. We're excited about seeing everyone on Friday night at Alico. It's always especially fun to see the team's dance routine with the cheerleaders and E'Gals. It gives everyone's personality a chance to shine."
 
Food will be provided by the following FGCU featured sponsors: Beef 'O' Brady's, Coke, Culver's, Dunkin' Donuts, GameTime, Mission BBQ, Moe's, Papa John's, Skillets, Tropical Smoothie Cafe and Wally's Deli.
 
Season ticket holders may pick up their tickets and Eagles Club packets inside the Alico Arena lobby starting at 7:30 p.m. For individuals who have yet to purchase season tickets, limited quantities will be on sale at the event, as well as the opportunity to join the Eagles Club and secure other membership benefits like preferred parking and access to VIP events.
 
At 8:15 p.m., the costume prize winners are announced and DJ M DOT will then kick it into high gear with music and a lightshow as fans will see the two teams get introduced, as well as see players compete in a scrimmage along with 3-point shooting and dunk contests.
 
"We look forward to this event every year," FGCU head women's basketball coach Karl Smesko said. "Not only does it signal the start of another season, but it gives us a chance to put on a preseason exhibition and for our fans to interact with our new players for the first time. It's a relaxed and fun event for families and fans of all ages."
 
Highlights of the evening will also include two students each having the opportunity to win the Coconut Point Ford Dunk City Mustang by making a half-court shot and one student attempting a half-court shot for free in-state tuition. Additional prizes will be awarded throughout the evening.
 
WINNING WAYS
The FGCU men's basketball team ran away with the ASUN regular season championship last year and finished as the ASUN tournament runner-up. The Green and Blue then made an appearance in the NIT tournament before falling Oklahoma State. This year, new head coach Michael Fly ushers in a new era with a number of fresh faces on the roster.

The FGCU women's basketball team went 31-5 last year, won the ASUN regular season and conference championships and advanced to the NCAA Tournament, where they knocked off fifth-seeded Missouri in the opening round. In the season-finale loss to fourth-seeded Stanford, the team broke the NCAA record for most 3-point field goals in a season with 431.
 
EAGLES TO WATCH AT DUNK CITY AFTER DARK
Leading the way for the Dunk City men will be Marquette transfer Haanif Cheatham, who has been picked by a pair of outlets to be the ASUN Newcomer of the Year. Schadrac Casimir also brings three NCAA Tournament appearances to Fort Myers after coming in as a graduate transfer from Iona.

This year FGCU's women, behind their Raining Threes mantra, will feature the return of stars Lisa Zderadicka, Nasrin Ulel and Tytionia Adderly as well as a slew of highly talented newcomers.

VETERAN APPRECIATION AT HOME OPENERS
US military veterans and current service members are invited to attend the home openers surrounding Veterans Day - Nov. 8 for the men and Nov. 12 for the women - free of charge. Individuals who show their military ID at the Alico Arena ticket window will get a free Priority Level 4 or Priority Level 5 ticket to both games and may purchase tickets for their families for 50 percent off the regular ticket price.
 
THE HISTORY BEHIND THE MADNESS
FGCU began hosting Hoops and Halloween in 2012, a Sunday matinee basketball event. After its run to the Sweet 16, the University began hosting an evening basketball kickoff event, Dunk City After Dark, prior to the 2013-14 season. The Midnight Madness tradition was founded in 1971 by then-Maryland coach Lefty Driesell, who started the tradition with a team workout at 12:03 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 15 – which was then the first official day teams could commence practice for the season. Since then, the midnight start has morphed into a pep rally earlier in the day rather than an actual practice, including an emcee, music, dancing, competitions and giveaways for fans in attendance.
 
TICKET INFORMATION
Season, group packages and single-game tickets for the 2018-19 FGCU men's and women's basketball teams are now on sale. More information can be accessed by visiting FGCUTickets.com. To purchase tickets, or for additional inquiries, call the FGCU Ticket Office at 239-590-7145 Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
 
YOUNG ALUMNI
FGCU recently announced a program in which young alumni – those who have graduated from FGCU within the past five years – can save between 30-70 percent off Priority Level 4 and 5 section season tickets, in addition to receiving discounted Eagles Club membership, which is needed for select premier seats inside Alico Arena. Those interested in taking advantage of this offer are asked to click here or visit FGCUAthletics.com/YoungAlumni to complete a form. Following that, an FGCU Ticket Office representative will be in contact to set up an account. For more information, call 239-590-7145, email tickets@fgcu.edu or visit the Alico Arena Ticket Office Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
 
MBB SOCIAL CENTRAL
For up-to-the-minute information and behind-the-scenes access to the men's basketball program, follow @FGCU_MBB on Twitter and Instagram and ike us on Facebook at /FGCUMBB.
 
WBB SOCIAL CENTRAL
For up-to-the-minute information and behind-the-scenes access to the women's basketball program, follow @FGCU_WBB on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook at /FGCUWBB.
 
SUPPORT THE CAUSE
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.